Pregnant Pakistani Woman Stoned to Death by Family for Choosing Own Husband

A pregnant Pakistani woman was stoned and killed for refusing an arranged marriage, and marrying a man she loved instead. Farzana Parveen died from head trauma on May 27 after her family, including her father, brothers and arranged fiancé pelted her with bricks.

25-year-old Parveen was engaged to a cousin, but chose to marry for love, against her family’s wishes. The family accused Parveen’s husband of kidnapping. Parveen went to the Lahore High Court to refute the accusations; when she left the court building, Parveen was attacked by family members, calling the act an “honor killing.”

Police officer Umer Cheema said that about 12 men escaped the authorities, but Parveen’s father was caught. But according to Pakistani law, families who carry out honor killings are often freed. The culture believes that it is necessary to kill an individual who shames the family.

“This is a huge flaw in the law. We are really struggling on this issue,” said Wasim Wagha of the Aurat Foundation.